I treat them like anyone peddling products door to door .. I ask them to leave and never come back. When I want to buy something or learn something I seek it out on my own.

I usually counter with "no let me tell you about your religion", even if they don't believe me it sows a seed of doubt when they google it to prove how wrong I am, and find out I am not.

Nowadays I just say I’m not interested. When I was younger one time a Baptist came to the door and I engaged in a drawn out defense of my religious opinion, explaining that I was filled with a sense of wonder and awe over the staggering implications of existence. His reply: “We can help you with that”. I sort of lost it at that point and ran him off.

Engage in the debate. The foot soldiers are just getting by. No different to trying to sell electricity or telephone plans!

Every time has been great! It is really difficult though when I have to interrupt their talking point to explain their religion to them. They tend to have many rote talking points but when you dissect them politely, it becomes obvious that they really don't know their Bible and only know a little about their dogma. They often no nothing about their religions orgins.

With this said it becomes a teaching moment for me and a learning oppertunity for them. Usually they don't want to continue when they figure out that I have more understanding than they. I do not wish to be misunderstood as a know it all. I do not. I have just spent all of my life studying it from within and from without.

I tell them I am very old woman who has been an atheist for the last 55 years. I wish them peace with their own choices and the decency for them to respect my choices.

Talking with people about worldviews is one of my favorite things to do. Whether waiting in line at the bank or sitting in my livingroom with door-knockers, if someone wants to tell me about their worldview, I listen, and share mine in return. I'm having my third meeting tonight with the local Mormons. They are respectful, friendly, and patient with me. I see it as an opportunity that goes both ways. They get a chance to influence me, and I get a chance to influence them. May the best idea win!

I am curt with all door to door sales offers.
*interupts Thank you, good day, .............click